‘Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown’ Brings Almodóvar To The Hayes Theatre

For Alexander Berlage, who’s now doing his fourth musical adaptation of a film at the Hayes Theatre with Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, it’s an honour and joy to bring the work of Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar to the stage.

“The film is so iconic, it’s such an incredible work of Almodóvar,” he says to City Hub, calling in during the final week of rehearsals. “We’re having a ball delving into the work of this cinematic master and recontextualising it for the stage!”

“This show is at my favourite speed in theatre, where it’s both deeply hilarious and funky and fun, but also has this sense of thoughtfulness and drama. It’s managed to perfectly encapsulate the comedy, trickiness and passion of the original film, and it’s a privilege to direct it.”

Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown 

With plenty of experience bringing cult classic films to the stage of the Hayes – he’s directed adaptations of John Waters’ Cry-Baby, Mary Harron’s American Psycho and Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein – Alex pitched Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown for the theatre’s 2025 program after the musical crossed his radar in the last few years.

“I’ve been a fan of Almodóvar and his films for a while, and I was aware of this musical,” Alex explains. “But in the last few years it came across my radar again, and it felt like such a timely work about finding ways of persevering, finding joy and love when it seems like everything in the world’s been thrown in a blender and you have to go and deal with it.”

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown takes place in 1980s Madrid, where Pepa (Amy Hack) discovers that her lover has suddenly disappeared. In light of this news, she resolves to kill herself with sleeping-pill flavoured gazpacho, but luckily for this story she’s interrupted by a colourful cast of characters.

Though the musical version of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is quite a bit longer than the original film, Alex promises that fans of the film can rest assured knowing that the story and characters remain unchanged.

“All the things you’re familiar with from the film, they’re in there,” he says. “It’s pretty true to the central narrative arc of the film, it’s just got about 30 minutes extra of music. I think those that love the film will basically see it on stage. Pedro’s films are already so aesthetic and theatrical as deep human stories, so it’s not such a big jump to consider putting it on stage!”

“Like Sex in the City meets Wes Anderson meets The White Lotus“

For this production of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Alex says that he’s lucky to have what he calls the ‘Creative Avengers’ helping him bring this show to life and all helping shape this show in their own way.

He has particular praise for Pepa actress Amy Hack, who has collaborated with him on every show he’s done at the Hayes Theatre so far.”It’s been such a joy to come back to the Hayes with her in particular,” he says. “This is my fourth show with her, and I really think she’s one of the most talented in this city. She’s a comic genius!”

For any Pedro Almodóvar faithfuls, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is an easy sell. But for anyone who hasn’t seen the film, Alex has another recommendation.

“It’s literally like Sex in the City meets the Spanish meets Wes Anderson meets The White Lotus turned into a musical. If you were to throw those four things into a blender and press max, this is that show!”

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown is playing at the Hayes Theatre Co. until Sunday, 8th of June. More information here!